This story takes place during and after Enemy at the Gates. It also ref's possible SGU characters. SJ Est. Update: 1/17/09 - changed names of SGU ref'd characters to reflect new names as shown on GW. I'll keep them updated as the characters' names evolve

A/N
#1 – Okay. I was bad, I'll admit it. I downloaded a copy of the
pre-air version of the series ender, Enemy
at the Gates. Am I
still planning on watching it when it airs? Damned straight! Did it
ruin it for me, seeing it now and not two weeks from now? No freaking
way! I have time now
to write and I won't then. After watching the ep I was left with
several questions, the last being, So...what
reason would there be for Sam to be in an overly large BDU shirt? Why
intentionally make her look pregnant? If
you don't want to be spoiled...then skip this till the show airs.
You've been warned.
Really, I mean it.

A/N
#2 – According to my research, Odysseus' heroic trait is his
mētis, or "cunning intelligence;" he is often described as the
"Peer of Zeus in Counsel." This intelligence is most often
manifested by his use of disguise and deceptive speech. Hmm,
deceptive speech? Odysseus is known for hiding his intelligence so
that others underestimate him. Now, who do we know that also employs
this tactic? I also thought it interesting that Jack was missing in
this ep and so was the Odyssey. Somehow that all works for me.

This
story takes place during and after Enemy
at the Gates. It also
references the newest incarnation in our fandom, Stargate:
Universe. As always,
feedback is encouraged, saved and always
answered.

Enjoy.

-
- - -

Across
the Ionian Sea

-----------

Cheyenne
Mountain Complex

SGC
Headquarters

Commander's
Office

0030
(local)

Sam
wearily hung up the phone and leaned back in her chair, scrubbing her
hands over her face and wishing, for just a moment, that she was back
at home. Her home. With Jack. Just them. She glanced out at the ruins
of what had been a pristine conference room and was now a room
bristling with computers, large displays and far too many people. She
missed the simplicity of the conference room, just as she missed the
simplicity of being somebody else's 2IC. Nothing was simple
anymore.

She
glanced again through the doorway to conference-turned-situation-room
and remembered entering it for the very first time. She'd arrived
late from Washington, then the driver who was supposed to pick her up
at Peterson having been late in meeting her. Sam let herself drift
for a moment, reliving the thrill and butterflies she'd felt that
first day when stepping out of the darkness of the doorway and coming
face to face with Jack O'Neill for the first time. It was also the
first time in years that she'd seen George Hammond. God, she missed
him. First her Dad, now General Hammond. What would Hammond think of
all of this? Sam's eyes filled as she thought the gruff old
General, already missing him fiercely. She, along with Daniel and
Teal'c had been heartbroken to learn of his sudden death. Jack had
represented them all at the funeral, and she'd hated that he'd
had to go through that alone, without her. She was, however,
immensely proud of her new assignment–provided she lived long
enough to assume command­–the General
G.S. Hammond, the
newest Daedalus-class ship of the line, and it was hers. The sound of
Siler yelping in pain brought her attention back to the newly made
situation room.

The
only good thing about the chaos that had become their new command
center was that the gaping picture window that had made this office
resemble a large fishbowl was now walled up and replaced with an even
larger tactical monitor. A discrete cough in her doorway drew her
attention and Sam, with one last pass across her weary eyes, looked
up to find Major Davis hovering in the space between the new
situation room and her office. Her very temporary office.

"Yes,
Major?"

"The
IT crew is coming on, Colonel. I thought I'd brief them and get
them started on hooking us up, if you don't mind." Davis looked
as weary as Sam felt, though she knew he'd caught a few hours of
rack time on his flight out from DC.

"That'd
be great, thanks. Can you close the door, too? I'm going to try to
get the last of these calls made before I crash."

"Yes,
Ma'am. And, Colonel?"

"Yes?"

Paul
Davis shifted, clearly uncomfortable with the personal side of
things, but he'd promised his boss. "Ma'am, I'm to remind you
that you really need to rest, especially now."

Sam
regarded him steadily, pleased that despite his discomfort Paul
didn't look away or back down. She knew very well what he was
talking about and just who it was who had given him that reminder.
Finally, she nodded, allowing a small smile to slip across her lips.
"Thanks, Paul. I won't forget. And I'll tell him you passed on
the message." Sam's smile widened at the fleeting look of relief
that crossed Davis's features, and her smile stayed in place as she
reached for the phone once again.

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